2014 WJC Video: Frederik Gauthier, Canada

By Chapin Landvogt

January 5th, 2014

Photo: Rimouski Oceanic forward and Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Frederik Gauthier won gold with Team Canada at the 2013 U18 World Junior Championship, but will not have that opportunity at the 2014 U20 WJC (courtesy of Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Team Canada will again be competing for a bronze medal at the World Junior Championship, and their opponent will be a familiar one. Russia landed in the battle for bronze by virtue of their 2-1 loss to Sweden, which marks the second straight year that the Russians and Canadians have faced off in the third-place tilt.

Forward Frederik Gauthier was a part of the U18 squad that won gold back in April of 2013, but he and his fellow U18 alumni weren't able to rekindle that golden magic at this U20 event. Canada seemed to be improving as the 2014 WJC progressed, but their semi-final encounter with Finland appeared to get away from them as the Finns poured it on for a 5-1 win.

In six games at this tournament, Gauthier has picked up one assist and stands with a -2 rating. The Rimouski Oceanic center and Toronto Maple Leafs prospect is noted for his strong two-way play and defensive skilll as opposed to his offensive ability, so the lower point total isn't that surprising. But Gauthier did chip in some offense at the U18 WJC and was a +4 for that tournament, so he no doubt would like to have had more of an impact at this U20 tournament.

Gauthier spoke with the media following the loss to Finland, with some of his comments being captured in this Hockey's Future video.